Endoenteric balloon coil

Abstract

A catheter for use in magnetic resonance imaging includes a catheter shaft having a proximal end and a distal end. A flexible lumen is supported on the distal end of the shaft, and the flexible lumen is configured to be expanded and contracted using a fluid introduced via the proximal end of the catheter shaft. A magnetic resonance coil formed on the flexible lumen such that the magnetic resonance coil may expand and contract with the flexible lumen. The magnetic resonance coil is coupled to an external match and tune circuit via magnetic resonance imaging device. The balloon coil includes nested bazooka or sleeve baluns along the length of the cable to minimize common mode currents on the outer surface of the cable to prevent high current hot spots that cause heating of the cable.

1 . A catheter comprising:
 a catheter shaft including a proximal end and a distal end;   a flexible lumen supported on the distal end of the shaft, the flexible lumen configured to be expanded and contracted using a fluid introduced via the proximal end of the catheter shaft; and   a magnetic resonance coil formed on an exterior surface of the flexible lumen.   
     
     
         2 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic resonance coil deforms to expand and contract with the flexible lumen. 
     
     
         3 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic resonance coil is at least partially formed from a conductive ink. 
     
     
         4 . The catheter of  claim 3 , wherein the magnetic resonance coil is formed from a metal coupled to the conductive ink. 
     
     
         5 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal end is disposed externally to a patient. 
     
     
         6 . The catheter of  claim 5 , wherein the proximal end is coupled to a match and tune circuit of a magnetic resonance imaging device. 
     
     
         7 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic resonance coil is coupled to a magnetic resonance imaging device via a cable including at least one balun. 
     
     
         8 . A magnetic resonance imaging system comprising:
 a magnetic resonance imaging device;   a catheter including a magnetic resonance coil that is coupled to the magnetic resonance imaging device, the catheter including
 a catheter shaft including a proximal end and a distal end; 
   a flexible lumen supported on the distal end of the shaft, the flexible lumen configured to be expanded and contracted using a fluid introduced via the proximal end of the catheter shaft; and
 the magnetic resonance coil formed on an exterior surface of the flexible lumen; 
   wherein the magnetic resonance imaging device includes a match and tune circuit that is disposed remotely from the magnetic resonance coil.   
     
     
         9 . The magnetic resonance imaging system of  claim 8 , wherein the match and tune circuit is disposed externally to a patient when the magnetic resonance imaging system is being operated. 
     
     
         10 . The magnetic resonance imaging system of  claim 8 , wherein the magnetic resonance coil is coupled to the match and tune circuit via a cable that includes at least one balun. 
     
     
         11 . The magnetic resonance imaging system of  claim 8 , wherein the magnetic resonance coil deforms to expand and contact with the flexible lumen. 
     
     
         12 . The magnetic resonance imaging system of  claim 8 , wherein the magnetic resonance coil is at least partially formed from a conductive ink. 
     
     
         13 . The magnetic resonance imaging system of  claim 12 , wherein the magnetic resonance coil is formed from a metal coupled to the conductive ink. 
     
     
         14 . A method for magnetic resonance imaging of anatomical locations within a patient, the method comprising:
 inserting a catheter into the patient, the catheter including
 a flexible lumen supported on a distal end of the catheter that is configured to be expanded and contracted using a fluid introduced via a proximal end of the catheter, 
 a magnetic resonance coil formed on an exterior surface of the flexible lumen, the flexible lumen being contracted during insertion; 
   locating the catheter to a desired anatomical location within the patient;   expanding the flexible lumen; and   performing magnetic resonance imaging using a magnetic resonance imaging system.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further including matching and tuning the magnetic resonance coil based on the anatomical location of the catheter via a match and tune circuit that is disposed externally to the patient. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the match and tune circuit is coupled to the magnetic resonance coil via a cable including at least one balun. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein expanding the flexible lumen includes expanding the magnetic resonance coil formed on the flexible lumen. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein inserting the catheter includes placing the catheter into a gastrointestinal tract of a patient. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the magnetic resonance coil is at least partially formed from a conductive ink. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the magnetic resonance coil is formed from a metal coupled to the conductive ink.